Sebastian Vettel drove a two-stop strategy to perfection at the Sepang International Circuit and brought the Ferrari team its first victory in 35 races. As the five red lights went off and the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix was go, Lewis Hamilton got off to a brilliant start, as did team-mate Nico Rosberg. While most other drivers chose to stop thrice, Vettel successfully completed the race stopping for tyres just twice. Ferrari did well to keep Vettel out on track during the safety car period allowing him to gain an edge over his rivals. A faultless race, Vettel's victory marks Ferrari's first victory since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
Mercedes on the Podium
Although Mercedes couldn't get the win for the first time since the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, the successfully managed to hold on to the second and third spot. After qualifying on pole Lewis Hamilton did get off to a brilliant start but Mercedes' three stop wasn't strong enough to get them a win. Moreover in the final stint, much to Hamilton's dissatisfaction, his car was fitted with the harder compounds. Rosberg too was running on a very similar strategy and since both drivers pitted early on during the safety car period, they dropped down to the edge of the top 10 losing a lot of time in the process.
Bull vs Bulls
For the first time in a long time, out on track, it was a hard fought battle between Red Bull and Toro Rosso, and that despite the fact that the two Red Bulls qualified in fourth and fifth place. Throughout the 56 lap race, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Daniil Kvyat as well as Daniel Ricciardo constantly switched places but in the end it was the Toro Rosso's that got the better position. Ricciardo's performance was compromised owing to a battling rear duct action as front wing and braking issues limited his speed. What's more, Kvyat too was tipped into a spin by Nico Hulkenberg. The Toro Rosso's took seventh and eighth while the Red Bulls took ninth and tenth respectively.
McLaren's matters
The McLaren F1 team will be thoroughly disappointed as both drivers were forced to retire from the race. Although Jenson Button as well as Fernando Alonso were able to fight it with the lower mid-field and were satisfied with the overall pace of the two McLarens, it wasn't a fairy tale end for them to the race. Less than half way into the race, Alonso was forced to retire due to an ERS cooling problem and to make matters worse, at the end of the 41st lap Button decided to quit his campaign following an issue with his turbo. McLaren hasn't scored a single point in the 2015 season as yet.
Going Ahead
After witnessing two seasons of complete dominance, Red Bull in 2013 and Mercedes in 2014, seems like this one will be a little more nail biting. Ferrari had already proved that they have the pace in the pre-season tests and with this victory they have reinstated it. What's more, both the drivers in the Ferrari outfit seem to be in supreme form. Mercedes has the pace, the reliability as well as two great drivers. To wrap it up, it's exactly how Nico Rosberg put it in the post race conference 'Game on Ferrari'.
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